Beverage cooling cabinet



uw, E, 39.. H. A. PFEIFFER 2,179.98

BEVERAGE lCOOLING CABINET Filed sept. 13, 1958 2 sheets-sheet l nvenor Zzenyd er A ttorneys- Nm. M, 1939. H. A. PFEIFFER 2,179,898

BEVERAGE COOLING CABINET Filed sept. 15, 1938 2 sheets-sheet 2 In venor A ftorneys Patented Nov. 14, 1939 resin "si if 3 Claims.

This invention relates to what is believed to be a structurally-.distinct and specifically improved cabinet construction expressly but not necessarily adaptable for cooling bottled and canned beverages, and the outstanding object is to provide the manufacturer and trade in general with an unusually simple and economical structure which, despite its utmost simplicity, is nevertheless satisfactory and efficient.

Admittedly, the use of an evaporator coil or equivalent refrigerant unit, and a mechanical circulator for a liquid in a cabinet construction is not broadly new. In fact, the prior art is exeinplary of different modes of construction utilizing such a general assemblage. In keeping with my ideas, however, I have evolved and produced an ingenious selection and coordination of features which I believe constitute a structurally novel contribution to the art.

Briefly, the gist of the invention is found in a simple plate unit serving as a support for the evaporator coil, as well as an appropriate mounting for the power driven impeller for liquid agitators associated therewith.

Other features and advantages of the invention may perhaps come to the attention of the reader from the succeeding description and claims.

In the accompanying illustrative drawings showing the preferred embodiment of the invention, and wherein like numerals designate like mechanical details throughout the views:

Figure l is a longitudinal sectional View through a home or store type bottled goods cabinet, the improved cooling and circulator unit being shown at one end thereof.

Figure 2 is what may be called a face or elevational View of the improved unit with the impeller removed for clearness of illustration.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary view of the central portion of the reverse side of said unit.

Figure 4 is a longitudinal sectional View with the coil and other accessories removed.

Figure 5 is a transverse vertical sectional view through the channel shaped mount or plate.

Figure 6 is a detail view of the vane equipped or bladed impeller.

Referring now to the drawings by distinguishing reference numerals it will be observed that the cabinet 'l is of customary box-like form, properly constructed and insulated and provided with a removable cover or lid 8 to permit convenient access to be had to the articles stored therein for refrigeration or cooling. A screen bottom 9 1s contained therein to serve as a false bottom and (Cl. 62.--i01) to providera `convenient rest for the bottles while at the same time permitting circulation of `the water or other liquid lll. Incidentally, an antifreeze solution, if desired, may be utilized instead of water.

The essence of the invention has to do with the means unitarily denoted by the numeral Il and located at the left-hand end of the cabinet.

The structure ll is characterized primarily by a channel shaped mount or plate. say, I utilize a simple rectangular plate l2 of appropriate metal having laterally directed parallel flanges i3 and M adapted to be welded, soldered, or otherwise attached to the lining of the cabinet. This leaves the mount open at opposite ends to facilitate the circulation of water in and around it. Also the bottom fiange is formed with a series o-f apertures l5 providing ports to facilitate circulation. Suitable straplike brackets or retention members lli fasten to the web portion of the plate and have their end portions Il appropriately shaped to adequately support in place the evaporator or refrigerant coil I8. In practice this receives a supply of' refrigerant from a compressor (not shown) The central portion of the webof the plate is provided with a circulation hole I9. On one side of this is a spider 2@ (see Figure 3) and the spider is formed with a suitable bearing 2l to accommodate the shaft 22 of the impeller disk 23. The disk is located in parallelism with the web portion of the plate and spaced slightly from the adjacent end wall of the cabinet. It is provided with a plurality of marginal circumferentially spaced vanes or blades 24 properly angled in relation to the aperture i9 to take the water in and .circulate it in the general direction of the arrows (see Figure l). In the bottom of the cabinet is an appropriate stufiing box and guide 25 for the flexible cable 25, thus providing power for the impeller. The flexible shaft may be connected with the compressor or any other source of rotating power.

It is evident that by constantly circulating the fluid in the cabinet around the bottled goods and into sweeping contact with the coil, the liquid is maintained at a temperature adequate for properly conditioning the beverages. The construction is so simple, however, as to obviate the need of an elaborate description of the specific principle of operation, or the commercial features and advantages.

It is thought that the description taken in connection with the drawings will enable a clear understanding of the invention to be had. There- That is to fore, a more lengthy description is thought unnecessary.

While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been shown and described, it is to be understood that minor changes coming within the eld of invention claimed may be resorted to if desired.

I claim:

1. As a new article of manufacture and as an insert for a cooling cabinet of the class described, a centrally apertured plate having laterally directed anges on its longitudinal edges, the bottom flange being provided with a plurality of orices, a spider spanning the central aperture in the plate and provided with a bearing, a bladed impeller disk having a shaft mounted for rotation in said bearing to accommodate a flexible driving shaft, and an evaporator coil supported on the plate between the flanges.

2. As a new article of manufacture and as an insert for a cooling cabinet of the class described, a centrally apertured plate having laterally directed flanges on its longitudinal edges, the bottom ange being provided with a plurality of orifices, a spider spanning the central portion of the aperture and attached to the plate and provided with a bearing, a bladed impeller disk having a shaft mounted for rotation in said bearing to accommodate a flexible driving shaft, and refrigerant accommodation means mounted on the plate between the flanges.

3. As a new article of manufacture and as an insert for a cooling cabinet of the class described, a centrally apertured plate having laterally directed anges on its longitudinal edges, the flanges being adapted for attachment to the internal surface of a predeterimned portion of such cabinet, the bottom flange being provided with a plurality of orices, a bladed impeller having a shaft located in said aperture, a bearing associated with the aperture to accommodate and support the shaft, and an evaporator coil supported on the plate between the anges.

HENRY A. PFEIFFER. 

